From the Mouth of a Statist

I have lovingly been called a, "recovering Statist" by a friend of mind. In reality I am a Minarchist, which is a type of Statist, but not a full blown one. A Statist likes and wants bigger government. As a Minarchist I want to reduce government, but I also believe it can serve a purpose. I believe the government should be there to help people, not hinder them.

I do not want the government telling me who I can marry. I do not want the government telling me what choices I can make with my lady parts. I do not want the government telling me I can't play poker, smoke weed, or whip someone in my own home. I do not want the government telling me I can't own a certain type of gun because someone else was an asshole with it. I do not want the government controlling the internet. Government should not be involved in trade, or private business. Government should not force health care.

Want to marry someone of the same sex? Find a priest or JP who will do it. Why the extra paperwork and red tape? Don't believe in abortion? Don't have one, but do not take away someone else's right to a safe and legal one. In this case government should be there to uphold Roe V. Wade, not take it away.

So now since I am on the subject, let me talk about when I think government should be around.

Protection of Marginalized Groups
First, let me make a differentiation. This is probably a personal one, but hey this is my blog so I am allowed. When I say, "public" business/accommodations I mean places where anyone is allowed to use facilities (a mall, airport, gas station, etc). When I say, "private" I mean places such as office buildings, customer/employee only facilities, Mom and Pop shops, or a personal run business (such as an Etsy store).

That being said, I firmly believe that a public business should not be allowed to discriminate based on race, sex, religion, gender/gender presentation, or anything along those lines. In my opinion if an establishment has bathrooms where anyone can come in and use them (or if it's a person's personal work place), then unless that person is causing harm or trouble they should be able to use the bathroom, and a trans person should be able to use the bathroom of their choice. On the other hand, a business that has an employee only or customer only bathroom should be able to turn people away. It's shitty, but that is the difference between public and private (in my opinion). For more on this read my, "Rights vs. What is Right" article.

So, how does government play a role? Discrimination would equal a fine, non paying of the fine would equal penalization on taxes or even suspension of a business license until the fine is paid. A lot of people disagree, but it is how I feel. If you do not want certain people using your bathroom, then don't have public accommodations.

This is basically to say that I think government should be able to step in and protect marginalized and oppressed groups. Liberty means liberty for all. By discriminating it is basically saying, "this person is less than." History has proven that being a marginalized group does not get you the same benefits of the criminal justice system that being straight, white, and male does. Case in point: Segregation, slavery, anti-gay marriage, anti-choice, pre 19th amendment. Need I go on?

It comes down to this. In order to level the playing field we must focus on the groups that it is tipped against.

Fraud, Theft, and Other Funny Business
I believe that people should be able to trade or do private business as they see fit. Small business owners should be able to keep most of what they earn, and any taxes paid should go toward the upkeep and support of the business (by the way, I think taxes should be used for things like education, roads, helping the poor, the environment. Not supporting large corporations and greedy fat cats). 

Government should be there to stop any sort of fraud or theft that goes on. Basically, step back unless needed.

What Else?
I support our military/defense, I support our welfare system (sorry Libertarians), I support the environment, I support deterring violent crimes (hint-drug use is no one of them). I support government doing things that help. For example: Funding education (but not telling us how to educate), mental health programs, wind/solar energy.

States
For certain issues, I believe the states should govern and decide for themselves. Gun laws, education, health care are three that come to mind.

Final Thoughts

• Marry who you want (obviously within reason). That marriage should stand anywhere. Take government out of marriage, so that way if someone who gets married to a same sex partner in MA moves to Utah they can't say, "sorry, you're marriage doesn't count here."
  
• Make the choices that best work for your body. I don't think churches, private orgs, or religious orgs should have to provide birth control. However, I do think any other health care should.
• Let me have whatever kind of sex I want. Screw you, Paddleboro.
• Drug addicts belong in rehab, not jail.